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“Yes,” Elizabeth said softly.

She did not press him. He could have borne an argument more easily than that quiet agreement.

When she rose to leave, he opened the door for her. She paused upon the threshold.

“I shall remember what you have told me as a confidence.”

“I know.”

This time he did know. He watched her go toward the stairs, then returned to his desk.

Anna’s cap was still there. He folded the little strings inside it and went to find Mrs. Reynolds. The child would need it for the walk home, if Martha had not already gone.

Chapter Twenty-three

ELIZABETH WAITED UNTIL Caroline was alone before entering the morning room.

It required more resolution than she liked. She had intended to speak before church, but Caroline had breakfasted with Jane. Afterward Charles had joined them, and Elizabeth had found it very easy to decide that an apology ought not to be hurried.

Now the service was over, Jane had gone upstairs to rest, and Charles had taken his friend out upon the terrace. Caroline sat at the table examining a pile of music. There was no reason to postpone the conversation except the certainty that she would enjoy it.

“I wished to speak to you,” Elizabeth said.

Caroline looked up. “About what?”

“Anna Hargreaves.”

The sheet in Caroline’s hand came down upon the others.

“If you intend to repeat what you said before—”

“I intend to correct it.”

Caroline waited.

“I was wrong to suspect that Mr. Darcy was her father. He is not.”

For a moment the only sound was the faint scrape of Caroline’s finger moving along the edge of the paper.

“I am glad your imagination has at last encountered a fact,” she said.

Elizabeth had prepared herself for something of the kind. Preparation did not make it agreeable.

“You were right to contradict me. I ought to have listened.”

“Yes,” Caroline replied. “You ought.”

Elizabeth had hoped that an unqualified acknowledgment might leave very little to discuss. She had not sufficiently allowed for the pleasure of hearing it repeated.

Caroline leaned back in her chair.

“What has persuaded you?”

“I asked him.”

“You asked Mr. Darcy whether he had a natural child?”

“I did.”